Korean BBQ Patty Melt

The Korean BBQ Patty Melt is a delightful fusion of classic American diner food and bold Korean flavors. This sandwich is a treat for the senses, providing a perfect balance of textures and flavors that elevate the traditional patty melt into a unique and thrilling culinary adventure.

Slowly cooked until deeply golden and incredibly sweet, caramelized onions add a rich, complex flavor that perfectly complements the savory beef patties. The process of caramelizing draws out the onions’ natural sugars, transforming them into a tender, jam-like consistency that melds flawlessly with the other components of the sandwich.

At the heart of this dish lies a beef patty that is perfectly seasoned and marinated with soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. These ingredients infuse the patty with rich umami flavors and a subtle sweetness. An egg and finely chopped onion are added to the mixture to bind the patties together. After caramelizing the onions, the patty is cooked to juicy perfection with a beautifully seared crust that helps to lock in all the savory juices.

The Korean BBQ Patty Melt is constructed with care. It starts with thick slices of sourdough or rye bread, chosen for their robust texture and slight tang, which complements the rich flavors of the filling. Each slice is buttered on the outside to achieve a golden, crispy exterior when grilled. A generous layer of homemade garlic mayo spread enhances the bread’s creamy, garlicky richness.

The cooked beef patty is placed atop the garlicky spread, followed by the caramelized onions. Chopped kimchi is added, introducing tanginess and a subtle heat that cuts through the richness of the beef and onions. The sandwich is completed with a liberal amount of grated cheddar cheese, which melts into an oozy, gooey layer that binds all the components together.

Once assembled, the Korean BBQ Patty Melt is grilled on the same skillet used to caramelize the onions and sear the beef patties. Here, the bread achieves a perfect crunch, and the cheese inside becomes tantalizingly melted. The final touch is a side of sriracha sauce for dipping, which one can use to add a spicy kick to their sandwich. The sriracha’s bright heat and garlicky undertones enhance the rich flavors of the patty melt.

Served hot and cut into halves, the Korean BBQ Patty Melt presents a delightful contrast of crispy bread, tender meat, and creamy, melted cheese, with the kimchi and caramelized onions providing complex layers of flavor. This sandwich is an adventure for the palate, blending familiar comfort food elements with exciting, international zest. It’s perfect for those looking to explore the fusion of different culinary traditions in a format that is both accessible and utterly delicious.

Korean BBQ Patty Melt

5 from 1 vote

Recipe by Kyle Taylor Course: MainsCuisine: Korean, FusionDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Total time

50

minutes

The Korean BBQ Patty Melt combines marinated, seared beef patties, sweet caramelized onions, spicy kimchi, and melted cheese between crispy sourdough slices, offering a thrilling fusion of classic American diner flavors with bold Korean zest.

Ingredients

• For the Beef Patty

• 1 pound 1 ground sirloin

• 2 tablespoons 2 soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon 1 sesame oil

• 1 tablespoon 1 brown sugar

• 1 large 1 egg

• 1/2 cup 1/2 onion, finely chopped

• 1 teaspoon 1 ginger, freshly grated

• For the Sandwich

• 8 slices of 8 sourdough bread

• 2 large 2 onions, thinly sliced

• 2 tablespoons 2 extra virgin olive oil

• 2 tablespoons 2 unsalted butter

• 1 cup 1 cheddar cheese, grated

• 1 cup 1 kimchi

• 1/2 cup 1/2 mayonnaise

• 2 cloves of 2 garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon 1 lemon juice

• for serving, sriracha sauce

Directions

• Marinate the Beef:
  In a bowl, combine the ground beef with soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and ground black pepper. Mix well and marinate for at least 30 minutes while you prepare the onions.
• Caramelize the Onions:
  Heat extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt, and cook, stirring frequently, until they are deeply caramelized. This should take 20-25 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
• Cook the Patties:
  Increase the heat to medium-high in the same skillet used for the onions. Form the beef into patties and cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side or until well-browned and cooked to your preferred doneness. Set aside.
• Prepare the Mayo Garlic Spread:
  In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Set aside.
• Assemble the Sandwich:
  Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. These will be the outer sides of the sandwich. Spread the garlic mayo on the non-buttered side of four slices. Place a cooked patty on top of the mayo-covered slices. Top each patty with caramelized onions and chopped kimchi, and sprinkle with grated cheese. Cover with another slice of bread, buttered side out.
• Grill the Sandwich:
  Reheat the skillet over medium heat. Place the assembled sandwiches in the skillet. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted. Press down lightly with a spatula to ensure good contact with the heat and to help melt the cheese.
• Serve:
  Once the sandwiches are cooked, remove them from the skillet. Cut in half and serve hot. Garnish with sriracha sauce for dipping.